Bruins prospect Khokhlachev takes puck to the head

Bruins prospect Khokhlachev takes puck to the head

Bruins fans got a scare on Thursday night watching Subway Super Series between the Russia junior national team and Canadas CHL players when Bs prospect Alex Khokhlachev was hit in the face with a slap shot. Khokhlachev had flopped onto his belly to block a shot from the point and instead caught the screaming puck on the side of his head before covering his head in obvious pain.

CBC rink side reporter Elliotte Friedman had indicated early reports were that Koko was going to be okay, but it was a scary scene for an organization thats had to deal with far too many head injuries. Its an interesting time in Canada for Khokhlachev as the Windsor Spitfires his former OHL junior team was expected to approach the Russian forward about returning to junior hockey.

Khokhlachev has been playing for the KHL Moscow Spartak team his father is managing in Russia, but the 19-year-old has been saddled with bottom-six duty that doesnt favor his speed and skill set. Khokhlachev said he didnt know and didnt want to talk yet when approached by the Windsor Star about a potential return to the Spitfires. Its clearly something the Bruins organization wouldnt mind seeing. They want their 2011 second round pick to develop his game by playing plenty of minutes in different situations, and hes not getting that in Russia. In 19 games Khokhlachev has a goal and two points along with a minus-5 rating, and has weathered a tough adjustment against bigger, stronger, faster and smarter opponents.

Were not a really good team this year and Im not scoring goals, but the experience is good for me, Khokhlachev said to the Star. Its tough to lose a lot and not score goals, but its fine. I come every day to rink and work hard and it will be good.

It sounds like Khokhlachev is going to be okay, and thats great news. It remains to be seen where hell be playing for the rest of the season once he recovers from taking that puck to the face.

The former Red Sox manager (fired after a 69-93 season and last-place finish in 2012), and ex-New York Mets and Texas Rangers, skipper, also managed in Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan’s Pacific League for six seasons.

Valentine, 66, has known the President-elect and Trump's brother Bob since the 1980s, is close to others on Trump’s transition team and has had preliminary discussions about the ambassador position, according to WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford.

Valentine, currently the athletic director of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., is also friendly with current Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who, like Valentine, attended the University of Southern California.

He didn’t land in New England, but he didn’t too badly, winding up with the usually competitive Ravens.

On a Thursday conference call with New England media, Weddle confirmed that there was mutual interest expressed.

“Obviously, I was interested,” he acknowledged. “I have nothing but high regard, respect and admiration – and envy, quite honestly – of the success of the New England Patriots over the years. Obviously, battling them in my career, it’s always been a great game. I love the way they play, love the foundation, love everything about it. It was definitely on my radar. There were talks both ways, it just didn’t end up [working out].”

The numbers massed at the position with Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon played a role in the two sides not being able to reach accord, according to Weddle.

“I’m good buddies with Patrick Chung,” he said. “I grew up playing with him and Devin [McCourty] is one of the best to play, so I don’t know if it would have worked out personnel-wise. But obviously, I could have seen myself fitting in there seamlessly.”

Weddle’s New England attraction apparently wasn’t love that bloomed late in his career. Toward the end of his conference call, Weddle said, “I’m still wondering why they just didn’t draft me in ’07; I could have been still playing there now.”

As reporters puzzled for a moment trying to recall the 2007 first-rounder, Weddle chipped in with the answer: “[They took] Brandon Meriweather.”